No Better Version of Me Than When I'm With You

Chapter 9

"Yeah, it was totally my plan to get you both sick." Thomas retorted. "Sorry."

Minho waved a hand, "It's fine. Not much you can do about it. If we get sick, we get sick." He glanced over at Newt, "Right?"

Newt chuckled, "Right."

There was a pause, then Minho headed toward the kitchen. "I'm gonna make some coffee, you guys want some?"

Both him and Newt said yes, and in silent agreement, began putting away the pullout couch once Thomas got up. It wasn't long before the three of them were at the small dining table, steaming mugs in hand and conversation already flowing easily. Thomas was relieved to see Newt no longer seemed frustrated over Minho's ribbing.

"So I was thinking of going on a run sometime this morning, before it gets too hot out." Minho said. "But since you're sick, I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Why not?" Thomas asked, sniffling. His nose had begun running the second he sat up from bed, and refused to stop. He may as well be permanently attached to the tissue box with how often he had to reach for one.

"'Cause I would've invited you, but you're obviously in no shape to go running right now."

Thomas laughed and shook his head, "No, I'm not, you're right. But I'm sure Newt would go with you, if you take it down to a jog rather than a flat out run." He looked at Newt to confirm. His best friend nodded.

"Yeah, I'll come with you. If you still wanna go, that is. Pretty sure Tommy can fend for himself for an hour."

Minho chuckled, then shrugged, giving them a why not look. "Alright, sure. Let's go for a nice jog. Thomas, I trust you not to spread your germs too far, okay?" He gave him a faux stern look, wagging a finger at him. Thomas laughed again, putting his hands up in surrender.

"I'll do my best."

They finished up their coffee and leftover cold pizza for breakfast, then Thomas found himself on the couch, scrolling through Minho's game library while the other two went out. It was a comfortable sort of silence as he waited for his best friends to return, picking a game and playing it for a minute before exiting and picking another, mindlessly hopping around. His head still felt full of gunk, a headache pulsing dully behind his eyes and throughout his sinuses, and his nose both completely blocked yet running like a sieve. He felt bad for possibly getting Minho and Newt sick. It was more likely that Newt would get sick, given they shared the bed the night before, but Thomas was in Minho's apartment which was a small enclosed space, so it was more than likely he would be sick by the end of the weekend too.

A drowsy weight settled over him as he sat alone in the quiet apartment, and despite the coffee and the games he'd been playing, he found himself feeling more and more tired as the minutes went on. A glance at the clock told him it had only been half an hour since his friends had left, and he had plenty of time until they returned. A little nap wouldn't hurt, then he could be up and ready to do whatever else they were going to do with their day when Newt and Minho got back.

Pausing the game he was currently playing, some racing simulator, he laid down on his side and propped his head up on a pillow, making sure he was still within arms reach of the tissues before closing his eyes. Sleep overtook him quickly, and the next Thomas knew he was being shaken awake.

He opened his eyes to see Minho looking down at him, a grin playing on his lips. "Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey."

Thomas yawned and sat up, scooting over so Minho could sit next to him. "Did I really fall asleep?"

"Like a baby." Miho replied with a chuckle. "It's ten thirty, I didn't think you'd be so tired already."

"We went to bed past midnight last night, and also I'm sick, so I think I'm allowed to take a nap or two." Thomas said, giving him a slight grin.